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Chai And A Chat #47 #ChaiAndAChat

26 Aug 2019 33 Comments

by Ritu in Chai and a Chat Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Catch Up, Chai and a Chat

Hi All! I hope you are well! I have to apologise today as my chai will need to be in a takeaway cup as I am popping in briefly.

If we were sipping chai together I’d let you know that it has been another week of holidays, my last full week, and I was determined to not let myself be tired before school, so we had a good few down days planned.
If we were sipping chai together the first thing I’d want to talk to you about would be #RiNoEdMo. I’m tired and Tuesday, I felt the tiredness and emotional build up kick in. I felt DOWN. Seriously, everything had me in tears… I decided then that I needed to step back from all things taxing me mentally and rest up. I spent a whole day in bed, reading and snoozing. It must have worked, because I felt much more positive the next day, and I have had some lovely feedback from Beta Readers too over the week.
If we were sipping chai together I would tell you that I had a lovely dinner with my colleague and friend on Tuesday, then the kids and I spent the day at Bluewater with friends on Friday, and then had a lovely barbeque with family on Sunday, leading to an impromptu sleepover for one of Lil Man’s friends. Lots of laughs and fun!

See, told you I’d be a bit of a runaway train. I’m writing this rather late at night, hence no photos today. But suffice to say the week was lovely.

If we were sipping that chai together, and possibly reaching for cake or cookies I’d tell you that us teachers go back to school on Thursday… booo!!!! but more on that next week!
If we were sipping that chai together, and possibly reaching for cake or cookies I’d say that it’s the last week of the holidays, so I need to make sure the kids get back to routine for term time… wish me luck!!!

Right, that’s me done Peeps! Let me how your week has been.

Spidey’s Serene Sunday – Part 234 – Holiday End

25 Aug 2019 32 Comments

by Ritu in Spidey's Serene Sundays Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Holiday, Spiderman, Spidey, Spideys Serene Sundays

“I’m a minimalist. I don’t really need much to enjoy a good holiday – just my family and the bare essentials.”
Jean Reno

Thanks for bringing the end of my holidays to my attention, Spidey!

Yes, this is the last Spidey Sunday of my summer vacation, and it really has flown by.

From setting up my classroom, to editing, to generally keeping my kids busy, it has disappeared with alarming speed, and here I am on the last weekend before I start back on Thursday…

But I’ve had a great, productive break.

Okay, so we didn’t jet off to any exotic locations. We didn’t even head off in the car to some different destination (except Birmingham for 2 nights!)

We were just at home.

And it was lovely, really.

Yes, sometimes I felt it would be wonderful to be getting ready to jet off somewhere hot, with a beach I could sprawl on, book in hand and cocktail by my side, but I know, that time will come soon enough too.

The children discovered their friends on the road and kept busy. I was able to lounge about pottering around the house, when not editing, and just relax.

Really, who needs to spend thousands on a break away? Sometimes being with the ones you love, at home is break enough.

So… tell me, what constitutes a good break in your eyes?

#SoCS August 24/19 – Preposition

24 Aug 2019 46 Comments

by Ritu in #SoCS Tags: #SoCS, Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Linda G Hill, Prepositions, Stream Of Consciousness Saturday

Linda’s #SoCS prompt this week:

Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “preposition” Start your post with any preposition. Bonus points if you end with one too. Enjoy!

Near me, sits my daughter, Lil Princess, hurriedly doing homework.

Yes, it is the summer holidays, and she starts her new school in 10 days (EEEK!), yet still, she has homework.

I’d have thought that, considering they finished primary school, and were getting ready for a whole new chapter, in their education, that the kds would get a break. But no, don’t be silly.

And no break for kid, means no break for mummy either!

Not one, but three different pieces too!

A book review – well that’s not too bad, considering she likes to read, and had already read some of the books on the recommended reading list. So a review of Wonder has been written.
Maths – design a farm (?!?!) with fields containing animals and crops, but the catch is each crop or animal has a field that has a specific shape and plot area that you have to work out and adhere to… Yeah. That’s not a relaxing easy task… Believe me, I know! It’s what she’s battling with at the moment!
Create a Solar System fact poster, with a list of 5 items that need to be included. We haven’t looked at that yet, but it’s pretty straight forward.

Still.

Homework. In the holidays.

I’m not convinced. And I’m a TEACHER!

When to kids get a chance to relax nowadays?

I’d much rather they were sent with a not from both schools, last and future, saying “Enjoy your break! You’ve worked so hard, and there is still plenty more of that work to come, so this holiday, enjoy your freedom! Read, meet friends, play outside. Then come back fresh and ready for the start of a new chapter!”

Is that too much to ask for?

The Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS August 24/19

August 22: Flash Fiction Challenge – Olde Worlde, New Light

23 Aug 2019 37 Comments

by Ritu in #CarrotRanch Tags: 99-Word Fiction, Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Carrot Ranch, Flash Fiction, Old World

Charli’s Carrot Ranch Prompt this week:

August 22, 2019, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story about old world charm. It can be nostalgic or irreverent. You can invent an “old world,” return to migrant roots or recall ancient times. Go where the prompt leads you!

Olde World, New Light

Jackie picked up the lantern and held it up against the shop light.

It was exquisite, the intricacy of the cast iron frame, twisted into patterns.

“That would look amazing, hanging outside our front door, wouldn’t it, Dave?” She turned to her husband, who stood impatiently, tapping foot, waiting for her to make a decision so they could leave. He had a beer at home with his name on it.

“It has such an olde worlde charm. Yes,” she smiled as she clasped it to her chest. “This is the one. Let’s go and pay.”

“Thank God,” mumbled Dave.

August 22: Flash Fiction Challenge

Mirror #writephoto

23 Aug 2019 36 Comments

by Ritu in #WritePhoto Tags: #WritePhoto, Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Grimhelde, Sue Vincent

Sue’s #WritePhoto prompt:

“Mirror, mirror, on the water,

Tell me all about my step-daughter.”

Grimhilde stared at the surface of the pond, waiting for an answer.

Nothing.

Not a peep.

“Stupid reflection. Stupid pond. Stupid Snow White!”

The reflection of her face contorted into an ugly grimace.

“I was the fairest of them all, once,” Grimhelde addressed the terrified frogs who were sat, frozen, on the lily pads, unable to move, in case she cast a spell on them. “Yes, I was. Queen Grimhelde. That was me. The fairest, and the most feared. People quaked in my presence. My dear King, oh how he loved me. But he wouldn’t stop loving her.”

Grimhelde sneered as she continued. “Snow White. She was a harmless child. No match for me. Or at least she wasn’t, until she grew up. Too pretty. Eurgh! Sickly sweet, she was. And they all adored her.”

She sunk to the floor, grabbing a handful of grass and yanking it up, out of the ground.

The frogs cowered.

“And I thought I’d got rid of her! But why I had to send Henry, that daft huntsman, I don’t know. He was always too soft. A few flutters of her eyelashes, and he let her go!” She slowly scattered the broken blades of grass on the surface of the pond, fracturing the reflection.

“She lived. Those blasted dwarves saved her. Even my poisoned apple didn’t work. Instead, she marries that soppy Prince and lives Happily Ever After, and look at me. Stripped of my title and banished from the kingdom.”

She leant closer to the frogs, beckoning them to come closer. “Well actually, they think I’m dead. Left my execution to that stupid, soft Henry, didn’t they? He couldn’t kill his Queen, so he dropped me off here, as he had Snow White. Thing is, I haven’t found a band of dwarves to help me out.” She raised her hand, “I get left with frogs!” Grimhelde brought her fist down into the water, sending ripples across the surface and scattering the frogs.

“And now, even they’ve left me…”